In researching some more Bible verses from my post last week about Jesus praying specifically for Simon, I found it interesting to reflect on some other people that Jesus prayed for.
Jesus first prays for Himself (John 17:1-5)
He prays for His original disciples (John 17:6-19)
Jesus prays for ALL believers! (John 17:2-26)
I would encourage you to go read all of John 17 and reflect on the beauty of the chapter.
I’ll just share a few verses from each section here with you:
Jesus praying for Himself:
And now, Father, glorify me in our presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. –John 17:5 (NIV)
Jesus praying for His original disciples:
I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. –John 17:9 (NIV)
Jesus praying for ALL believers:
My prayer is not for them (His disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (all future believers…us!) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. –John 17:20-21 (NIV)
How cool is it to think that Jesus has personally prayed for YOU? Jesus’ prayer was that YOU might be one with God just as Jesus is one with the Father.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be ONE as WE are ONE: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. –John 17:22-23
Wow…Didn’t Jesus leave us a great model of prayer for our lives?
–To pray for ourselves
–To pray for our friends and family
–To pray for the unity of the church worldwide to be one with God?
Still such an effective prayer, even 2000 years later!
May the specialness of knowing Jesus has prayed for you to be ONE with God and Jesus bring you peace, comfort, and joy!
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. –Colossians 4:2-4 (NIV)
To think if Jesus’ prayers had not been vocalized and written down for those to hear and read generation after generation? Then the mystery of Christ would never have been passed down! I believe that we are called to pray both silently and outwardly – and like Paul we should pray that we may proclaim the message clearly. We continue the chain of prayer that started so long ago! Amazing.
Yes, an awesome thought, Carol. What a blessing the Word is! Thanks for sharing to help us think even more. Blessings!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the longer term
and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this publish and if I may I wish to
recommend you few interesting issues or suggestions.
Perhaps you could write subsequent articles referring to this article.
I want to learn even more things approximately it!
Jesus is the Ultimate Example in everything including how to pray properly. He’s shown us the way. 🙂
Amen, Lux! Thanks for reading and sharing. Blessings to you!
thank you for this! Most people don’t pray for themselves and I always respond with “why not???? Jesus did and who are we compared to Him?”
Love your heart!!
Love
Marie
@spreadingJOY
Love this! I always tend to feel selfish or self-centered when I spend too much time praying for myself. I also tend to shy away from praying big prayers (like praying for all believers) because I often find myself thinking “what’s the point.” Thanks for this awesome reminder to look at the way Jesus prayed and follow his lead. Great post my friend!!
I know it was enlightening for me to finally have my eyes opened to how Jesus prayed. Yes, what a great example He left us. Thanks so much for your encouragement, Sam. Blessings!